UDM welcomes new Titans as academic year begins

August 31, 2026
The rock is painted with the message "welcome Titans" while in the background, students are seen moving into Shiple Hall.

Hundreds of new Titans were busy across four campuses as they began their University of Detroit Mercy careers during the final days of August. 

With the help of their families, upperclassmen and employees, members of the Class of 2030 moved into Shiple Hall on Aug. 24, before participating in Prologues, Transitions and Viewpoints (PTV), UDM's freshmen orientation program.  

An invaluable part of PTV are community engagement projects, which allow freshmen to work alongside their new northwest Detroit neighbors while living out the University’s Jesuit and Mercy mission. The projects included work at community gardens, various community centers and agencies and neighborhood beautification projects. 

Classes for new Titans at the School of Dentistry (Corktown Campus), School of Law (Riverfront Campus) and School of Optometry (Novi Campus) started Aug. 24, after participating in their own orientation activities. 

Undergraduate and graduate students on the McNichols Campus began classes on Aug. 31.

Detroit Free Press (subscription): Michigan college costs don't end with tuition. Here's what's next and how UDM assists

Freshmen in the Class of 2030 gather in front of the Titan sign for a photo with President Taylor.
A student pushes mulch in a wheelbarrow.
Students follow along during first year convocation.
Law students volunteer in the community as part of their orientation.
Students and two men work together by digging at a mulch pile.
Students gather around each other in the grass during an orientation activity.
A student helps a man lift something out of a vehicle during move-in day.
Three images in one full width image. From left to right: dental students work on a patient during the first week of classes; dental students socialize during class; the School of Law dean stands at a podium during an orientation event, as students in the crowd listen.

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